The Heartbreak Kid (1972)

Nominated for 2 Academy Awards:

Best Supporting Actor: Eddie Albert

Best Supporting Actress: Jeannie Berlin

 

The original The Heartbreak Kid was hard to find for a while, about a decade ago. I always wanted to see it, I guess, knowing it might be funny, but also, for some reason, saving it for later. And now it felt like the right time. It was slightly underrated back then, and it still feels like that today (the imdb rating of only 6.9 is a bit rough). It’s not the funniest comedy, but I guess it doesn’t try to be. It’s about a guy who falls in love with a blonde beauty while on his honeymoon. This alone is a silly concept, executed well up to a certain point.

Charles Grodin is good in a tricky lead role, but he is not the reason to see the film. There are two great performances that stand out: Jeannie Berlin, playing the wife, is terribly sweet and creates an authentic character that is never a caricature. She is so genuine and honest that I didn’t find her so annoying, as much as I was rooting for her. Eddie Albert is fantastic as the very determined father of the new love interest. Both actors got nominated and very deservingly so, but it was a competitive year.

I would’ve loved the film much more with a riskier, more creative 3^rd act and a more meaningful ending. It’s still good though.

 

I give it: 8/10

IMDB LINK